A diener is a morgue worker responsible for handling, moving, and cleaning the corpse. In the UK, the equivalent job title is 'Mortuary Assistant', whilst the preparation, evisceration and reconstruction of the deceased is performed by an Anatomical Pathology Technician. In the US, Dieners are also referred to as "mortuary assistants" or "autopsy technicians". The word is derived from the German word Leichendiener, which literally means corpse servant ("Diener" means servant.).
A diener performs a number of tasks in medical schools and morgues. Helping a pathologist with examining and reconstructing cadavers are main tasks performed by a diener. A diener assists a pathologist or physician during an autopsy completing tasks such as handling tools and supplies, preparation of the deceased before and after autopsy. In addition to physical work with a pathologist and cadavers, dieners do work such as record keeping of identification and documentation of deceased in the form of items such as death certificates.
In the American Moravian Church (German: Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine), the men and (particularly) the women who assist in church services (like the Lovefeast) are called "Dieners", from the German title for their office, Saaldiener or "chapel servant".
Education
Education requirements for a diener includes a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Requirements also include completion of one year of undergraduate coursework composed of at least six semester hours in courses including biology, human anatomy, physiology, zoology, or criminal justice with laboratory work as well. Becoming a diener includes experience working as a laboratory assistant which involved use of surgical tools or human anatomy knowledge, instead of any undergraduate course work. Dieners can use their work experience to pursue a degree in similar fields such as forensics, clinical laboratory work, and law enforcement.
Training
In the beginning stages of working as a diener, there are training requirements. Formal training requirements for a diener includes manual handling, infection control, and safety procedures. The training has two parts: Taught Units and Workplace Competency.
The first portion, Taught Units, consists of five sections. Human Anatomy and Physiology for Anatomical Pathology Technicians Governance and Administration of Mortuary Practices Health and Safety in the Mortuary Microbiology and Infection Control for Anatomical Pathology Technicians Principles of Effective Communication for Anatomical Pathology Technicians
The second portion of formal training, Workplace Competency, consists of five sections as well. Assist with Post Mortem Examinations Preparation and Operation of a Mortuary Prepare for Post Mortem Examinations Team Working Viewing of the Deceased
In addition to formal training, dieners learn how to do basic tasks through shadowing a mentor.
Skills
Skills a diener needs includes physical strength, reasoning, problem solving, attention to detail, and stress tolerance. In addition to the above skills, integrity/honesty, visual identification, flexibility, and reading are other important skills a diener should possess.
Another skill is the ability to work with human remains, diagnostic tools, and surgical instruments involved in a death investigation. A diener is required to be knowledgeable of lab and safety techniques including the collection and preservation of evidence and any tasks involving any chemical, biological, microbiological, pathogenic and miscellaneous hazards.
Places of employment
A diener can work in areas that include hospital mortuaries morgues and medical schools. When working in a medical school, a diener helps train medical students, interns, and residents on performing an autopsy. Dieners help train medical students, interns, and residents in autopsy techniques and procedures.
Duties
The multiple duties of a diener are typically the same wherever employed.